Backslider’s Activity Toward GOD

LORD, I observe ____ is stiffnecked (Rom 3:10-12). You, and You only must draw (him/her) (John 6:44) to repentance. And when the Lion of Judah roars (he/she) will come running (Hos 11:10). You are gracious and merciful and will not turn away Your face from ____ if (he/she) returns to You (2 Chron 30:9).

Since ____, as a backslider, is filled with (his/her) own ways, it is not easy to awaken (his/her) interests again in CHRIST. “It is always difficult to reach (his/her) conscience” W.P. Lockhart (ref#127, Prov 14:14, “Backslider in Heart,”).

“Argument does not succeed. The only thing to do is to bring them back to their first experience. They must come to Jesus afresh” W.P. Lockhart (ref#127, Prov 14:14, “Backslider in Heart,”).

“Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls….” (Jer 6:16 AMP).

The same exercise of grace is required as at (his/her) conversion—repentance. I pray that ____ come to CHRIST as (he/she) did at first. Give (him/her) FATHER, a word from You—a word powerful enough to astonish (him/her), chasing all fear away (ref#34, Oct 31st AM).

“No one can be renewed without as real and true a manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s energy as he felt at first, because the work is as great, and flesh and blood are as much in the way now as they ever were” (ref#34, Oct 31st AM).

FATHER, manifest Your holiness to ____ (Ezek 20:41) so (he/she) will remember all (his/her) evil deeds and how they have defiled (him/her). Quicken (him/her) to loath (himself/herself) for all the sin (he/she) have committed (Ezek 20:43). I pray (he/she) break up (his/her) fallow ground and seek You that You may come and rain righteousness again upon (him/her).

Deal with (him/her) for Your name’s sake. I want to recognize You in ____’s life again. I want to know that You are the LORD (Ezek 20:44).

Praying in JESUS’ Name

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,…” (Ps 115:1 ESV).

“We may speak with the familiarity, privileges, right, and voice of the Son of God whenever we pray to the Father in Jesus’ name” (ref#66, p89). To recognize His name is to recognize “…all which the Lord Jesus is in His Person and work]…” (ref#37, p463, [Phil 2:10]).

“Throughout the Bible persons use the name of God to indicate that fulfilling his purposes is their highest priority….” (ref#66, p24). FATHER, this is what I pray for ____—that (he/she) recognize the power of CHRIST’s name in (his/her) prayers—that it not be just a tag at the end to give the prayer more clout.

JESUS is finishing His work by continually making a way that ____ can access You. Assure (him/her) that to contact You there is no other way than through Your Son (John 14:6). Any requests without considering the Person of JESUS are not viable prayers.

Aid ____ to pray for CHRIST’s sake more than (his/her) own. Encourage (him/her) to present (his/her) desires and concerns to You, but to do so in the context of yielding (his/her) priorities to CHRIST’s priorities (ref#66, p13).

“When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are petitioning God to bring glory to Jesus and we are asking for his will to be done in everything so that he will be honored above all. Prayers in Jesus’ name are enveloped with concern that he be represented, blessed, and glorified. By appealing to Jesus’ name, we surrender our prayers to his purposes” (ref#66, p25).

The Benefits of Tribulation

“…The Lord has to break us down at the strongest part of our self-life before He can have His own way of blessing with us” James H. McConkey (ref#130, p138).

FATHER, ____ is suffering in (his/her) present circumstances. I pray You turn this adversity into prosperity. In (his/her) failure, give (him/her) the victory. Guide (him/her) to take up the sword of the SPIRIT (the Bible) and turn the battle to (his/her) advantage. Lift up ____’s spirit in this day of conflict. Do not let (him/her) sit in the dust, mourning. Do not let the enemy vex (him/her) sorely and make (him/her) fret (ref#34, April 15th PM). Remind ____, LORD, that when (he/she) stumbles (he/she) will never fall, for You will uphold (him/her) by Your hand (Ps 37:24).

JESUS suffered more tribulation than ____ will experience. “As He overcame, His followers will also surely overcome, for Jesus is the representative Man for His people” (ref#34, Oct 3rd PM). The Apostle Paul gives an example of the benefits of his suffering:

“…what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Phil 1:12-14 ESV).

FATHER, give ____ the excitement to follow CHRIST into suffering. Give (him/her) the ability to petition You as CHRIST did—with strong cries and tears (Heb 5:7). Settle ____ by causing (him/her) to recall that Your Son learned obedience from the things He suffered (Heb 5:8).

Unconscious Usefulness

FATHER, caution me against my human nature that is so set on being consistent and useful to You. As long as I’m choosing the way to glorify You, You are not glorified. Governing my activities is a sure indication that I am not pleasing You (ref#7, May 18th).

I know that love is not premeditated but spontaneous. “We do not set the statements of Jesus in front of us as a standard; but when His Spirit is having His way with us, we live according to His standard without knowing it” (ref#7, April 30th).

“If we try to prove to God how much we love Him, it is a sure sign that we do not love Him. The evidence of our love for Him is the absolute spontaneity of our love…” (ref#7, April 30th).

FATHER, I pray for the spontaneity loving You brings. No wonder CHRIST gave over half of His example prayer (the Lord’s Prayer) to adoration and thanks (Matt 6:9-13) to You; He was reacting to Your love.